PM to look into extending tourist visas to 90 days

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

The new government will consider extending tourist visa validities from 30 days to 90 days and the easing of immigration procedures, to make them more convenient for foreign tourists, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, responding to call from tourism business operators for the government to boost the tourism industry.

He also said, however, that the proposal from some tourism business operators for the government to exempt entry visas for tourists from China, India and Russia is a different issue, which has security implications and has to be considered carefully.

The prime minister met today (Saturday) with tourism businesses in Phang-nga province, to listen to their problems and their recommendations for tourism promotion and views on the potential of wellness and health tourism along the Andaman coast.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of renovating an old airport in Phang-nga, to accommodate small commercial planes, and the promotion of tourism in local communities, to boost sales of local products and the incomes of local people.

It is reported that there are about 3,000 communities which have the potential to develop a local tourism business, but most of them are not properly registered and, therefore, have no access to state support.

The prime minister told the meeting’s participants that, although the Pheu Thai party does not have a single MP in Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket or Ranong provinces, he will treat these provinces without discrimination and will try to boost tourism there, because he wants “to be the prime minister for all Thais.”

[Gaybutton]

I hope those kinds of thoughts will extend into expats and retirement visas.  I doubt many expats are thrilled with the idea that financial requirements, and perhaps other requirements as well, may be raised.  I hope the new administration will realize that tourists are not the only ones who spend money. and a lot of it, in Thailand.  What about us expats, many of who have lived in Thailand for years and spend money here virtually every day?  That never seems to be taken into consideration.  I can understand wanting to get rid of the "bad guys", but what about the "good guys" that make up the vast majority of retirement visa holders living in Thailand?  Punish the majority to expel the small minority?  I hope not.

[PeterRS]

16 hours ago, Gaybutton said:

I hope those kinds of thoughts will extend into expats and retirement visas.  I doubt many expats are thrilled with the idea that financial requirements, and perhaps other requirements as well, may be raised.  I hope the new administration will realize that tourists are not the only ones who spend money. and a lot of it, in Thailand.  What about us expats, many of who have lived in Thailand for years and spend money here virtually every day?  That never seems to be taken into consideration.  I can understand wanting to get rid of the "bad guys", but what about the "good guys" that make up the vast majority of retirement visa holders living in Thailand?  Punish the majority to expel the small minority?  I hope not.

Having read so much about retirement visas over several years, increasingly it seems that the bad guys continue to be the crook agents and crook Immigration officers and less crook retirees. If the government just cleaned up its own house, much of the problem could be solved without the need to increase fees in my view.

[Gaybutton]

The optimistic part is, as far as I know, the only one who has even mentioned anything about increasing the requirements is Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, aka "Big Joke" and I've only seen that he mentioned it once.

I have seen nothing from anyone else - police, immigration, politicians, saying a word about it.  And "Big Joke" doesn't seem to be actively pushing it, although his word does carry a lot of weight in Thailand, but he does not have the authority to unilaterally impose any changes.  Even if the powers-that-be become interested in doing that, it won't happen overnight.

By the way, in his nickname "Big Joke" - joke does not mean joke as in humorous or funny.  It refers to joke - a popular Thai breakfast dish.

How or why that became his nickname, I have no idea - but there it is.

 

 

 

[Keithambrose]

3 minutes ago, Gaybutton said:

The optimistic part is, as far as I know, the only one who has mentioned anything about increasing the requirements is Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, aka "Big Joke" and I've only seen that he mentioned it once.

I have seen nothing from anyone else - police, immigration, politicians, saying a word about it.  And "Big Joke" doesn't seem to be actively pushing it.  Even if the powers-that-be become interested in doing that, it won't happen overnight.

By the way, in his nickname "Big Joke" - joke does not mean joke as in humorous or funny.  It refers to joke - a popular Thai breakfast dish.

 

 

How or why that became his nickname, I have no idea - but there it is.

 

 

 

Looks good. Best place to find it?

[Gaybutton]

5 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Looks good. Best place to find it?

You probably won't find it in restaurants.  It is primarily a Thai street food.  Look for it in the morning hours.  It is available just about anywhere, usually for 50 or 60 baht.  Included ingredients vary, so check around for the one you like best.

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, Gaybutton said:

You probably won't find it in restaurants.  It is primarily a Thai street food.  Look for it in the morning hours.  It is available just about anywhere, usually for 50 or 60 baht.  Included ingredients vary, so check around for the one you like best.

Thanks!

[reader]

No doubt that the new PM got the idea for the 90-day visa from Vietnam which began offering it as an option Aug. 15. Since then, applications for e-visas have risen 70% with most coming from South Korea, Japan and the UK.

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/new-visa-policy-helping-facilitate-tourism-development-authority-4647925.html

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, reader said:

No doubt that the new PM got the idea for the 90-day visa from Vietnam which began offering it as an option Aug. 15. Since then, applications for e-visas have risen 70% with most coming from South Korea, Japan and the UK.

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/new-visa-policy-helping-facilitate-tourism-development-authority-4647925.html

link above worth clicking not only for information but also for picture of handsome tourist walking in Hue and sporting nice bulge

[reader]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

link above worth clicking not only for information but also for picture of handsome tourist walking in Hue and sporting nice bulge

+1

Don't know how I missed that first time around.

[vinapu]

32 minutes ago, reader said:

+1

Don't know how I missed that first time around.

you worry too much about visas and too little about bulges

[scott456]

There is a rumor that Thailand will soon waive visa for Chinese tourists. Just imagine the enormous crowd may soon compete with you for the boys.

[vinapu]

25 minutes ago, scott456 said:

There is a rumor that Thailand will soon waive visa for Chinese tourists. Just imagine the enormous crowd may soon compete with you for the boys.

hope it'll be true. Demand creates supply

[PeterRS]

3 hours ago, scott456 said:

There is a rumor that Thailand will soon waive visa for Chinese tourists. Just imagine the enormous crowd may soon compete with you for the boys.

I'm merely curious. When Chinese tourists were flowing pre covid into Thailand like a river in flood, were there many Chinese guys to be found in the gogo bars and other gay venues? I realise it's difficult to be specific given that ethnic Chinese from other parts of Asia were no doubt customers, but my impression is that tourists from mainland China were not prolific gay bar goers.

[vaughn]

I was surprised to learn Thailand don't already give the Chinese visa exempt entry for 30 days like the long list of other countries, I thought they had pretty good diplomatic relations and the potential tourism numbers involved would have put that in motion years ago.

I wish they would extend the tourist visa exemption scheme to 90 days, it would save me from a couple of unnecessary visa run and immigration dept days for the trip I'm about to embark on.

[scott456]

7 hours ago, vinapu said:

hope it'll be true. Demand creates supply

And hence the market price goes up when demand exceeds supply.

[reader]

4 hours ago, scott456 said:

And hence the market price goes up when demand exceeds supply.

No different than airfares or price of eggs.

 

[reader]

From Thailand News Agency

BANGKOK, Sept 4 (TNA) – The Immigration Bureau is preparing plans to implement the prime minister’s policy of granting visa-free entry to Chinese tourists starting from October 1.

However, it is acknowledged that this policy may lead to overcrowding at entry points, notably airports. Consequently, adjustments and increased staffing will be required, and discussions will be held with aviation authorities to create special channels for Chinese tourists, minimizing the impact on travelers from other countries.

Additionally, the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau and related authorities will travel to China this evening to engage in discussions with Chinese officials regarding visa-free policies. They will also discuss strategies to combat criminal activities, syndicates, and various criminal groups that may take advantage of the situation to enter Thailand during this period. (TNA)

[scott456]

25 minutes ago, reader said:

No different than airfares or price of eggs.

 

That is a correct answer. 

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

Thai immigration policy: shape of things to come

By Barry Kenyon

New prime minister Srettha Thavisin has specified that immigration reform will be a priority in the new government. Although Thailand in 2023 has already attracted over 17 million foreign visitors, she will need many more if the aim to boost tourism revenue to US$100 billion by the end of 2024. Entry policy in recent years has been set by the Cabinet and senior ministers with the immigration police bureau playing an enforcer rather than a policy-maker role.

The most urgent issue is to overhaul short-term tourist arrivals by simplifying the system. At present, the nationals of around 60 countries (including US, UK, EU, Australia) can receive 30 days visa exempt with a further 30 days on offer by visiting the local immigration office. The Tourist Authority of Thailand is urging that visa exempt should mean 90 days on entry without further ado. This might be an easier way to attract European snowbirds, rather than forcing them to apply for visas in advance, although it is not clear how many would be swayed by less bureaucracy.

A larger issue concerns the potentially mammoth markets of China and India. Currently they require a visa on arrival giving them just 15 days at a cost of 2,000 baht (US$57) with tour groups making the applications in their own countries before departure. The process is said to be cumbersome and some lobbyists want the new Cabinet to transfer these countries to a visa exempt status, initially for 30 days. The issue here is national security as there have been high-profile cases of criminality in Thailand by Chinese gangs. Most pundits think a trial run of visa exempt is more likely to apply to India rather than China.

On the expat front, Thailand Privilege Card has already announced its new packages for the Elite visa which start on October 1. Many social media commentators have criticized the huge hike in enrolment fees – a 50 percent rise for the five year option and several hundred percent for 20 years – but they are principally reacting from a European or American perspective. Elite management is confident that affluent Chinese and Russian citizens in particular will willingly pay the extra to be allowed to remain here without the requirement of returning to their home country.

Senior Thai police in recent months have predicted that the one year visas and extensions of stay – retirement, marriage and study – need a tightening up of the rules. Deputy national chief Surachate Halparn (Big Joke) has pointed to alleged abuses such as applicants borrowing money from agents or language schools deliberately ignoring non-attendance at classes. Not to mention the thorny issue of comprehensive medical insurance for all. Yet some pundits believe that the current systems will remain basically in place, perhaps with cosmetic changes such as more regular checking of expats’ Thai bank account balances, or extensive use of “grandfathering” which means giving existing expats immunity from any future rule changes. There may be too many vested interests and profiteering for an all-out assault on visa agents who are widely seen as essential to make immigration policy work. Sometimes in Thailand the more things change, the more they stay the same.


 

[Boy69]

9 hours ago, reader said:

Sometimes in Thailand the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I would change this statement to : for most in Thailand the more things change, the more they become frustrating ...

[PeterRS]

On 8/26/2023 at 6:00 PM, reader said:

From Thai PBS World

He also said, however, that the proposal from some tourism business operators for the government to exempt entry visas for tourists from China, India and Russia is a different issue, which has security implications and has to be considered carefully.

As I understand it, visa policies are usually on a reciprocal basis. So I get 90 days visa free when I enter Japan and Japanese get 90 days when they enter the UK.

If Thailand exempts Chinese from the requirement for a visa, will Thais then get visa free entry into China? Somehow I think the Chinese authorities are going to find that difficult to agree.

[vinapu]

9 hours ago, PeterRS said:

As I understand it, visa policies are usually on a reciprocal basis. So I get 90 days visa free when I enter Japan and Japanese get 90 days when they enter the UK.

If Thailand exempts Chinese from the requirement for a visa, will Thais then get visa free entry into China? Somehow I think the Chinese authorities are going to find that difficult to agree.

That's the general rule but is seems there's more exceptions than sticking to the rule. 

Thais still need visas to most countries citizens of are granted 30 days visa  exempt entry. I know several countries I can go visa free but their citizens can't come without visa to my country. 

Sometimes national pride prevails, sometimes welcome to the tourist dollar takes over. Certain rules are outright strange. It seems that from October on,  Egyptian citizens holding dual nationality will be required to get a visa if they want to visit Egypt but they are living abroad,

Strangest rule I personally encountered in mid 90-ties was being  denied admission  to country my passport allowed me visa free entry but because it was issued by embassy abroad I was not admitted. 

so bottom line is don't count on reciprocation, don't count on consistency, check rules well before intended trip and also shortly before.  

[ChristianPFC]

On 8/26/2023 at 6:00 PM, reader said:

...extending tourist visa validities from 30 days to 90 days...

I as a German citizen get 30 days visa free or 60 days on tourist visa.

Is there a mistake in the article or which nationalities are they referring to?

[Boy69]

On 9/5/2023 at 6:19 PM, ChristianPFC said:

I as a German citizen get 30 days visa free or 60 days on tourist visa.

Is there a mistake in the article or which nationalities are they referring to?

Germany is on the list of around 60 countries that their citizens can receive 30 days visa exempt with a further 30 days on offer by visiting the local immigration office.